Know your medical history
Your health information—the medicines you're taking, your allergies, your family history, what illnesses or surgeries you have had-is what makes you medically unique, and can affect your treatment. The one thing you forget to mention could be the detail that might save your life.

One way to keep track of your medical history is to create a personal medical record that keeps all of your medical information in one place.

Know your medications
It's important for you to know the medications you take. Take a list or a bag with your medicines when you visit the doctor, pharmacy, or hospital. It's important your health care provider knows which drugs you take and that it's safe to take them together. Be sure you understand your medications by talking with your doctor or pharmacist. Make sure you know any side effects and interactions with other drugs for any medications you are taking.

The most important thing you can do to get good care is to talk. Talk to your doctor, talk to your nurse, and talk to other health care workers. It's also a great idea to repeat any instructions you receive back to the doctor, just to make sure you understand.

Ask questions
Ask questions and make sure you understand the answers. Patients who ask questions get better quality health care and can get better results.

Bring someone with you
Almost half of all adults have some difficulty understanding health information, and in the doctor's office you may not remember or understand everything. Try bringing someone with you to the doctor's office or the hospital to help ask question or take notes.